International youth camp: focus on environmental and climate protection

Hourglasses stop the shower time? Refillable water bottles quench thirst? Are sweets only available without packaging? These and many other tasks are being tackled by 66 young people who are taking part in the European Youth Camp in Bocholt this week.

The City of Bocholt, the EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt and the German-French Society Bocholt are organising this year's European Youth Camp together with their partner organisations in four other European countries as well as organisations in three host countries - including Bocholt.

Official reception at the Europa-Haus Bocholt

The international guests aged 14 to 17 were welcomed by Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff at the beginning of the week. They come from Bocholt and the twin towns of Aurillac and Arpajon-sur-Cère (France), Bocholt (Belgium), Akmene (Lithuania) and the neighbouring Netherlands. Furthermore, there are young people from outside the European Union from Rossendale (Great Britain) and Vlora (Albania). Even a group from the city of Wuxi (China), which is a friend of Bocholt, has arrived.

Workshops and visits

The young people are concerned with environmental and climate protection. This year's theme is "Youth for the Future: Best practices for Climate change in Europe". In joint workshops, discussion and question rounds, the possibilities and opportunities for international cooperation will be demonstrated in a practical way. For example, an excursion to the Dutch "Burgers Zoo Arnhem" took place on the topic of climate and species protection. In the "Zwillbrocker Venn", the participants learned about measures for nature conservation and biodiversity. A visit to the Bocholt sewage treatment plant was also on the programme. The EUROPE DIRECT Bocholt gave a lecture on the topic "European Green Deal".

Afterwards, the young people from eight nations presented their home countries. For Albania, for example, the drinking water issue and the extraordinary heat are of particular importance. The Chinese youth from Wuxi presented photovoltaic technology for alternative energy production in their home city. The Dutch youth presented dyke construction as a measure in the face of rising sea levels. They also referred to the many wind power plants that are to help cover the energy demand in their home country. The topic of "reforestation" was the focus of the presentation by the young people from the English twin town of Rossendale.

Fun and games are part of the youth camp

Fun, games and getting to know each other are also an integral part of the youth camp. Team building in the Pröbsting climbing forest and at BAHIA was just as much a part of the programme as evening games or a city rally through Bocholt. With new insights, the European certificate "Youthpass" and strengthened in their linguistic, social and personal competences, the young people return home as "climate ambassadors".

Promotion and support

This year's European Youth Camp is co-financed by the EU through the ERASMUS + - Youth programme. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is providing financial support through the "Europe at Home" programme. In addition to the friendly and partner cities, the German-Albanian, the German-British, the German-Chinese Society Bocholt and the Integration Council Bocholt are committed to the realisation of the European Youth Camp.